1st Presbyterian Church Coeur d'Alene ID
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​Staying Encouraged and Connected in a Disconnected Time

8/24/2020

1 Comment

 
As a 60+ woman who knows my way around the computer technology I have to use every day at work, I’m not one who jumps at the idea of another “learning curve” every time that technology morphs or new platforms emerge that are going to “make things so much easier.” Groan. But maybe like you, the Covid experience has catapulted me further into that learning curve than I ever planned on going! I am grateful for how “online” possibilities and the internet have allowed many of us to keep working and innovating in these months. And staying connected by mediums such as Zoom. I’m Zoom-grateful! Really.  But after about 3 months of doing almost everything that way, Zoom-fatigue set in. And as one who loves being WITH other people (I mean REALLY in-person WITH) I long for the restoration of those experiences. I have so missed being at church together. I miss Venture and Christ-Care and Bible study in-person. I love the opportunity we have to grow in relationship with God and each other as the means by which Jesus matures His disciples. Exploring His Word with His People as His Spirit teaches us!

Those of us serving on the Adult Discipleship Team have been concerned about how we can all stay encouraged in God’s Word and in community in these days when we aren’t able to be together the way we want and need to be. We hope RightNow Media is part of the answer to that prayer. With the lack of healthy, relational opportunities, it’s so easy to get way too much input from news and social media sources, our own heads, TV shows that don’t contribute much to our overall well-being – tempting us to be discouraged perhaps! RightNow Media is a way to get some healthy input from a variety of teachers and respected sources to feed our hope and courage in the Lord in these days! And these quality videos can be enjoyed on your computer, on your phone, or on your TV. It’s easy to set up and easy to use. And you get a huge selection of very short to longer videos that are Bible studies or sermons, many filmed in gorgeous and interesting places around the world! Our hope is that you will find encouragement and inspiration as we navigate the challenges of our current circumstances. And I have to believe that God will use the time we put into our personal growth this way, to build us up in surprising ways for the future!

So give it a try! It’s free to you! If you haven’t signed up yet, do it! If you can send an email, find a website, or watch church online, you are more than qualified to use this easy resource. You can find the link on our 1stPresDowntown.org website. Just click the link, sign up, and off you go! Explore the huge number of titles, pick something that sounds interesting, and watch a RightNow Media video instead of watching TV or Facebook or Netflix for a change of pace. You’ll be glad you did!

As more of us start using RightNow Media, we may be able to start some online groups together, to watch and study and discuss together for those who are interested. Or do some church-wide devotional projects together as we can all watch the same thing from home. And honestly, as busy as life was before Covid, this may be something we add to our normal in-person offerings when it’s hard to leave home for other reasons. New possibilities! So let’s keep learning and growing together through RightNow Media. We have a subscription through the end of the year to see how it might benefit us as a church family more long-term. At least for now, RightNow Media is a GIFT to keep us centered in the Lord and in our connection to our 1stPres family.  Enjoy! (Need help? Call Sam Logozzo . . .).

Yours faithfully, Wendy
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Wendy Wilson
1 Comment

It’s not all sunshine, unicorns, and rainbows…

8/18/2020

9 Comments

 
Whenever it is my turn to write the weekly blog, I always try to come up with some profound, interesting or uplifting topic or theme. This time has not been any different. However, instead of writing a blog full of sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns, I want to tell you the truth. I am tired. I bet you are too. We have been in a long season of challenges, change, and unrest and it feels like things aren’t going to go back to “normal” any time soon. 

During these times, it has been so important for me to find rest in the Lord. When I run out of words to pray or when the tears won’t stop, I have found much comfort in a song my friend Nicole Unser wrote. I want to share the lyrics with you.

       You Give
​       
When I find that I've reached the end of me
       No more money, no more strength, no more security.
       When I've tried everything and I've got nothing left.
       In my exhaustion, in my search for rest.
       There you are, there you've been, there you'll always be.

       When I try to take control I’m at my weakest.
       But your power is made perfect in my weakness.
       I say that my heart belongs to you, but your tests
       and your trials prove if it's true. 

       There you are, there you've been, there you'll always be.

       You take my burdens, take my fears, my insecurities
       Give me peace. Give me wisdom. Give me clarity.
       Your love has no limits, your grace knows no end.
       You give and you give and you give again!

       Not by my wit and not by my will.
       I thirst to be made more thirsty still.
       You took all my sorrow and you took all my shame.
       You gave me new life when you took all the blame. 
       There you are, there you've been, there you'll always be.

       You take my burdens, take my fears, my insecurities
       Give me peace. Give me wisdom. Give me clarity.
       Your love has no limits, your grace knows no end.
       You give and you give and you give again!

       So fall like rain upon our surrendered lives.
       Till your love is all that satisfies. 
       Walk us through the fire till all that survives
       is wild devotion and passion for Christ.

       You take my burdens, take my fears, my insecurities
       Give me peace. Give me wisdom. Give me clarity.
       Your love has no limits, your grace knows no end.
       You give and you give and you give again!

       There you are, there you've been, there you'll always be.

       It's who you are, who you’ve been, who you’ll always be.


I encourage you to listen to the song here You Give by Nicol Unser 

I hope it brings you comfort and peace when you need it.

Carley

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Carley Walker
9 Comments

A Summer Reflection

8/10/2020

5 Comments

 
My favorite part about my church family is that I’ve been going to this church for about three years now, and it feels like I’ve been here my whole life. I’ve been a part of about three different churches in my lifetime. All three have made an impact on me and helped shape me as a person.

The First Pres community has been my family in Coeur d’Alene when I was struggling to find where I fit in. I am grateful for that in the deepest sense! The people of the church have been there to teach me and accept me as part of a bigger family when I needed it most. You all have been there to love, accept and support me in whatever endeavors I face next, and I’m eternally grateful.

Because of the circumstances of today, my summer internship ended up being much of a rocky road. I can walk away, though, knowing that no matter where I go next, I can always come back to a loving home and community.

Thank you!

In His Name, Rosanna
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Rosanna Blackston
5 Comments

A Fond Farewell to Jennie Barber

8/3/2020

1 Comment

 
Editors Note: Jennie said farewell last week with her wonderful blog. We thought it would be nice to hear from the sabbatical management team for their perspective on her time with us.  Jennie served us with grace, wisdom and kindness during these very trying times. We have been blessed!

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We have been truly blessed by having Reverend Jennie Barber to lead us during this tumultuous time period of Pastor Craig Sumey’s sabbatical and the unanticipated and challenging time of dealing with the Covid-19 virus. The virus caused us to close down the worship service to protect our members and visitors from possibly becoming infected with the virus. Pastor Jennie is a fine leader and pastor, and she handled all of the challenges gracefully and lovingly.

There certainly were trials during these three months! In addition to numerous Session meetings, we also had frequent Task Force meetings. There were bi-weekly Session meetings from May through June to work on re-opening the sanctuary for services.  Session approved a Task Force to study the issues and submit recommendations to Session. Pastor Jennie presided as moderator over all of the Session meetings in addition to presiding over the bi-weekly meetings of the Sabbatical Management Team. Scripture from 1 Peter 1:6 says, “Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a while.”

During this time, Jennie was also dealing with personal challenges at home, which included her father’s passing and attempts to keep her family safe during the Washington State lockdown.  Since she was commuting from her home in Spokane to Coeur d’Alene, most of the meetings were handled using Zoom.  The Sabbatical Management Team determined that the church would issue her a letter to show her business in Idaho was essential.

Rev. Barber was also instrumental in supporting Carley Walker and Steve Balas with the Youth and Children & Families programs. We heard good comments from some of the other leaders in those programs.

This time period of serving as our Interim Pastor may have been one of the most challenging jobs ever for any pastor! We are eternally grateful to Reverend Jennie Barber for her service to us, and we want her to know she will be missed when her term with our church ends on July 31st.

Scripture from Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

We sincerely hope she will return for visits and possibly preach for us sometime in the future. We love her and wish her well.

Your Sabbatical Management Team,

Steve Morman
Charlie Nipp
Bonnie Piovesan
Shastina Blackston
Carolyn Fish
Linda Scheideler
Warren Bakes
Jackie Velez
1 Comment

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 First Presbyterian Church | 521 Lakeside Ave | Coeur d'Alene | ID  83814
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  • Home
    • Connect With Us >
      • Prayer Request
      • eNews Archive >
        • 2020 eNews Archive
  • Who We Are
    • Our Mission
    • Leadership & Staff >
      • Job Opportunities
      • Blogs >
        • Blog Archive 2021
        • Blog Archive 2020
    • Elders, Deacons & Ministry Teams >
      • Christmas Families
      • Annual Clothing Givewaway
    • History >
      • Past Ministers
    • What Presbyterians Believe
    • Annual Reports
  • Ministries
    • Children & Families
    • Youth
    • Missions
    • Serve >
      • Choir
      • Church Ministry Teams
      • Ecumenical Kitchen
      • Family Promise
      • Handbell Choir
      • Knitting for Warmth
      • Praise Team
      • Reception Team
      • VBS Planning Team
    • Grow >
      • Book Studies
      • Men's Fellowship
      • Presbyterian Women
      • Sunday Bible Study
      • Women's Circles
    • Connect >
      • Dinners at 6-ish
      • Flying Solo
  • Sundays
    • Classic Worship
    • Contemplative Worship
    • Sermons
  • Giving